Three dimensional connection system for bed frame

ABSTRACT

A connection system for use in joining structural members of a bed frame together. One of the structural members has a wedge and the other of the structural members has a cavity formed in a receiver. The wedge has a plurality of exterior surfaces that contact with a plurality of interior surfaces formed in the cavity. There may be four interior and exterior surfaces of the wedge and receiver and at least two of the surfaces taper inwardly in the downward direction. The interfitting of the wedge into the receiver make a solid connection that is enhanced by weight of the bedding positioned thereon. The connection resists twisting forces as well as lateral and fore and aft forces.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is based upon and hereby claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/165,492 filed Mar.31, 2009 and the specification of that Provisional Application is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bed frame for supporting a mattressor mattress set and, more particularly, to a bed frame having animproved interconnection between the side rails and a cross member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are currently in use conventional bed frame assemblies that areused for supporting a mattress or mattress set and such bed frameassemblies are normally made up of two side rails and at least one crossmember. The bed frame supports the load of a mattress set by means ofmultiple support legs.

With many bed frames, the side rails and cross member are made of ametal, generally steel, and the connections between the side rails withthe cross members are also therefore made up of metal components thatinterfit to join the cross members to the side rails. Due to thedifficulties of actually shipping a completed bed frame, conventionalbed frames are delivered to the customer in an unassembled state, andthen assembled at the site where the bed frame is intended to be locatedand used.

One difficulty with such bed frames and the assembly thereof, however,is that tools may be required for the on site assembly of the bed framesand therefore, if the tools are not available, the assembly cannot bedone. Further, tool assemblies can be difficult and complicated.

While there are some bed frames that are available that can be assembledtogether without the use of tools, those bed frames are made ofinterlocking stamped sheet metal plates. These sheet metal componentscan be sharp and dangerous as well as heavy. The weight of bedding andbed occupants create a downward force on the bedding and that force mustbe transferred to the floor that supports the bed frame, bedding andoccupants.

The connection points between the side rails and the floor is theinherent weakness of the structure. Sheet metal is by its nature goingto have edges and such edges will concentrate force caused by the weightof the bedding and occupants. In time those connections can becomeunreliable and loosen. Any movement within those connections is libel tocause a squeaking noise, which is recognized in the industry as a defectalmost as critical as a collapse.

A further problem with the use of steel for connection points betweencross members and side rails of a bed frame is that steel can beexpensive and difficult to work with. Too, steel needs to be coated toavoid corrosion.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide connections betweencross members and side rails of a bed frame that are comprise of amaterials other than steel, such as plastic, and also to provide suchconnection that do not require tools for the assembly of the bed frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is a system to carry outthe connection of two structural components of a bed frame, and as oneexemplary embodiment, the connection between a cross member and a siderail of a bed frame. The present system is usable with the need fortools in the assembly of the bed frame at the site where the bed is tobe used.

The inventive system creates a robust interconnection between a siderail and a cross member of a bed frame, or other bed frame components byemploying a wedge on one of the components and a receiver on the otherof the components such that there is a three dimensional contact of thewedge into the receiver and thus a greater resistance to bending,swaying or other undesired movement. The user can easily see the wedgefits to the receiver. The fit locks the frame together quickly andsecurely. The downward pressure of the bedding makes the connection rocksolid. Any looseness that might develop is taken away by the automaticand constant resetting of the wedge in the receiver.

The side rails and the cross members are secured together with atool-less interlock that uses the weight of the supported load tocombined the separate parts into one unit. The unit forms the connectionbetween the side rail and cross member and also a support leg. The crossmember has the male portion of the connection and the side rail has thefemale portion of the connection incorporated with the bed frame legs.The assembly utilizes a three dimensional wedge at the ends of the crossmember to both connect and stabilize the leg and frame side rails. Thewedge has a continuous surface contact with the receiving leg. Thisunique relationship dissipates the stress on this connection and therebyallows for the use of materials and processes not normally conducive tothe task of supporting a mattress set.

The plastic tool-less assembly of the cross member to the side rail isunique in that a downward force is translated to outward forces by meansof the angular wedge shape member. The outward force is then constrainedby the continuous inner surface of the receiving member. Because theentirety of the wedge is acting on the receiver, this outward force isuniversally felt and dissipated where one point, line or other surfacecontact is under greater stress. Because the receiver is a continuoussurface entirely surrounding the wedge member, its surface is put intension and is very stable under the stress. This allows the wedge andthe receiver to become integral to each other and resist not onlydownward pressure but also twisting forces.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent during the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the drawings herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the components of a bed frameutilizing the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show front and side views, respectively, of a crossmember and tapered wedge of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cross member and tapered wedgeassembly;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are front and side views of a tapered receiver adaptedto be affixed to a side rail of a bed frame;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a tapered receiver adapted to beaffixed to a side rail of a bed frame,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an assembled bed frame withstandard angle side rails and connection constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating the assembly of a bed frameutilizing the connection of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating the connection of a cross memberto a side rail of a bed frame;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic views showing the matching tapers of thecross rail wedge and a tapered receiver.

FIGS. 10A-10C are schematic views illustrating the self alignment of across rail wedge being inserted into a tapered receiver;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are front and side schematic views showing howdownward force on cross rail wedges are transferred to tapered receiversto cause a tighter connection as more weight is applied;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a downward force on a cross memberand side rail connection and illustrating how that force is dissipated;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of assembled bed frame using the presentinvention and illustrating how side to side forces or front to backforces are applied to a bed frame;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the influence of both downwardforce and front to back force when a bed frame having a connection ofthe present invention is resting on a carpeted floor.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating a side to side force on acarpet;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing both a downward force on theconnection assembly and side to side forces acting on the bed frame;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention showing the connections of the present invention in adifferent configuration of bed frame with standard angle iron siderails, standard angle iron cross members and a T section front to backcenter support;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view illustrating the connections of the bedframe of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bed frame usingthe present invention and illustrating an assembled view of a hotel bedwith multiple tapered receivers and wedges;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view showing the connections of the bed frame ofFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment showingan assembled bed frame with the exemplary molded housings;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a tapered wedge of the FIG. 21embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled tapered wedge ofthe FIG. 21 embodiment affixed to a steel T section cross member;

FIG. 24 is an exploded view illustrating an assembled tapered wedge andtapered receiver of the FIG. 21 embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a connection between a crossrail and side rail using the FIG. 21 embodiment;

FIG. 26 shows all of the components that are used to construct a bedframe having three dimensional connections with a optimized leg andwedge assembly, two side rail assemblies and three cross railassemblies;

FIG. 27 shows front and side views showing a tapered wedge receiverfound on the inner part of the two part leg assembly;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a contoured outer leg and innertapered receiver with attachment holes.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing the assembled three dimensionalconnection of a bed frame with double angle side rails and three Tsection side to side cross members;

FIG. 30 is an exploded view of a steel T section cross member fullyencased in a plastic extrusion and end cap;

FIG. 31 is an exploded view showing the assembly of the steel T sectioncross members to the two part tapered wedge;

FIG. 32 is an exploded view showing the assembly of the steel T sectioncross members where the two part tapered wedge has an end cap and iscompletely encased in plastic casings;

FIG. 33 is an exploded view showing an exemplary embodiment of a twopiece receiver of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is an exploded view of the receiver of FIG. 33 being affixed toa side rail;

FIG. 35 is an exploded view of the connection of a wedge into thereceiver of FIG. 33 affixed to a side rail;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a connection between a crossmember and a side rail in accordance with the present invention with thecomponents encased in plastic casings;

FIG. 37 is an exploded view showing an exemplary embodiment wherein awedge is being interfitted into a center leg of a cross member; and

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the completion of the assembly of theFIG. 37 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view illustratingthe components of a bed frame 10 utilizing the present invention. As canbe seen, the bed frame 10 comprises a pair of side rails 12 and aplurality of cross members 14. As shown, there are three cross members14, however a lesser or greater number of cross members 14 can be usedin constructing a bed frame. The side rails 12 are comprised of L-shapedangle irons 16 and each include an end bracket 18 for affixing thereto,a headboard or a footboard (not shown). The cross members 14 areL-shaped irons 20 that will be later described.

Affixed to each of the side rails 12 are tapered receivers 22 having afemale cavity 24 formed therein. The tapered receivers 22 are comprisedof molded plastic and the cavities 24 have interior sides taperedinwardly in a manner to be later explained. Affixed to the ends of thecross members 14 are tapered wedges 26 that are tapered in a manner tobe later explained. The tapered receivers 22, however, are trapezoidalin shape and thus have four exterior surfaces, that is, two oppositeexterior side surfaces 28, 30 and two exterior surfaces 32, 34 generallyat oriented 90 degrees to the exterior side surfaces 28, 30.

Turning then to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, there is shown, respectively, an endview, a side view and a perspective view of the cross member 14 andincluding a tapered wedge 26 affixed thereto. As can be seen theexterior surfaces 32, 34 of the tapered wedge 24 taper inwardly in thedownward direction, that is, the direction away from the L-shaped angleiron 20. As can also be seen, the exterior side surfaces 28 and 30 alsotaper inwardly in the same direction i.e. downwardly. The angle A of thetaper of any of the exterior surfaces 28, 30, 32 and 34 may vary but inthe exemplary embodiment that angle is about 15 degrees with respect tothe vertical.

There is a recessed area 36 formed at the top of the tapered wedge 26 toallow the horizontal flange 38 of the L-shaped angle iron 20 to bereceived therein. A slot 40 is formed in the top of the tapered wedges26 in order to receive the vertical flange 42 of the L-shaped angle iron20. Suitable devices can be used to rigidly affix the cross member 14 tothe tapered wedge 26 and those devices can include rivets 44.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5, there is shown, respectively, a frontview, side view and perspective view of a tapered receiver 22 used withthe present invention. As can be seen the tapered receiver 22 has outersurfaces 46 with the female cavity 24 having interior side surfaces 48,50 as well as interior surfaces 52, 54. Again, the interior surfaces 52,54 of the tapered receiver 22 taper inwardly in the downward direction,that is, the direction away from the L-shaped angle iron 16 (FIG. 1). Ascan also be seen, the interior side surfaces 50 and 52 also taperinwardly in the same direction i.e. downwardly. The angle B of the taperof any of the interior surfaces 48, 50, 52 and 54 may vary but in theexemplary embodiment that angle is about 105 degrees with respect to thehorizontal. There is a recessed area 56 for receiving a horizontalflange (FIG. 1) of the cross member 14 and a slot 58 for receiving thevertical flange 42 of the cross member 14 (FIG. 1). There are also twoholes 60 for fastening the tapered receiver 22 to a side rail 12 and,again, rivets may be used to carry out that affixation.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the recessed area 56 and slot 58 areoriented so as to receive either an L-shaped cross member 14 or aT-shaped cross member having its vertical flange located about midwaybetween the ends of its horizontal flange.

Turning then to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown, respectively, aperspective view and an exploded view, of a bed frame 10 andillustrating the three dimensional connection of the present inventionwherein the cross members 14 have T-shaped elongated members 62 that maybe constructed of two L-shaped members affixed together or a unitaryT-shaped metal member.

Turning next to FIG. 8, taken along with FIGS. 1-7, there is shown anexploded view of the connection of a cross member 14 with a side rail 12and, as can be seen, the exterior side surfaces 28 and 30 and theexterior surfaces 32, 34 interfit into the female cavity 24 by matingwith the interior side surfaces 48, 50 and interior surfaces 52, 54 ofthe tapered receiver 22. As such, the interfitting results in a solidconnection between two molded plastic components. In the exemplaryembodiment, all four of the exterior surfaces of the wedges are taperedand all four of the interior surfaces of the female cavity 24 of thereceivers 22 are also tapered, it being seen that the connection couldbe made with the present invention with two or more of the matingsurfaces being tapered.

Next, in FIGS. 9A and 9B, there is a schematic view illustrating aconnection being made between a cross member 14 and a side rail 12 witha force pushing the wedge 26 into the receiver 22 in the direction ofthe arrow F. In this embodiment, the exterior side surface 63 of thetapered wedge 26 is not tapered, that is, it is vertical as well as thecorresponding interior surface 66 of the female cavity 24 of thereceiver 22. As such it can be seen that only three of the exteriorsurfaces of the wedge 26 and three interior surfaces of the femalecavity 24 are tapered as previously described.

Turning now to FIGS. 10A-10C, there is shown schematic viewsillustrating the entry of a wedge 26 into the female cavity 24 of areceiver 22 in order to show the self-aligning feature of the presentinvention. As can be seen, in FIG. 10A, the wedge 26 is enteringslightly crooked and its centerline is not aligned with the centerlineof the receiver 22, however, the wedge 26 becomes aligned as itcontinues to enter by a force in the direction of the arrow F into thereceiver 22 as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C. As such, by the use of thethree dimensional connection, the cross member 14 automatically andfirmly aligns itself with the side rail 12.

In FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12, there are schematic views illustrating theforces on the connection between a wedge 26 and a receiver 22 such thatthe downward force, shown by the arrows F translate into the outwardlydirected forces C in FIGS. 11A and 11B, and the outward forces as shownin FIG. 12 by the arrows E. In FIG. 12, it can also be seen that thehoop strength, illustrated by arrows H resist the forces imposed on thereceiver 22.

Turning to FIG. 13, there is shown a schematic view of a bed frame 10using the three dimensional connection between the cross members 14 andthe side rails 12 in accordance with the present invention andillustrating the present of a fore and aft force shown by the arrow Jand a side to side force illustrated by the arrow K. In each instance,the bed frame 10 does not collapse due to the resistance to those forcesby the three dimensional connections between the cross members 14 andthe side rails 12 of the present invention.

Turning next to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, there is shown a schematic view ofthe various forces that can be imposed on the connection between a siderail 12 and a cross member 14 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. In each instance there is a downward force on the connectionshown by the arrow F. In FIG. 14 there is a side force M and which maypinch the carpet 68 but that force is resisted by the particularconnection. As such, the receiver 22 does not loosen or deform under theforces illustrated. The same is true in FIG. 15 where there is atwisting force N that is again resisted by the three dimensionalconnection between the cross member 14 and the side rail 12. In FIG. 14the load force F results in side forces P and larger force on the floorin the direction of arrows Q.

Turning next to FIGS. 17 and 18, there is shown, respectively, aperspective view and an exploded view of a further exemplary embodimentof the present invention and wherein there is a center member 70oriented head to toe. Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment, thereis a receiver 72 affixed generally centrally in each of the crossmembers 14 and the center member 70 has wedges 74 that interfit into thereceivers 72 in the manner preciously described. As such the threedimensional connections of the present invention are present on the bedframe 12 of this embodiment for both connecting the cross members 14 tothe side rails 12 but also to connect the center member 70 to the crossmembers 14.

Turning now to FIGS. 19 and 20, there is shown, respectively, aperspective view and an exploded view of a hotel type of bed frame 76where there are wooden or ¾″ Melamine panels instead of the metalelongated side rails 12 of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, there are sidepanels 78, 80 and a foot panel 82 that basically sit on the floor andsupport the bed. Again there are three cross members 14 use with thisembodiment and each of which have wedges 26 located at the ends thereof.In this embodiment, the receivers 84 are molded plastic and each has aninternal female cavity 86 having corresponding interior tapered surfacescorresponding to the tapered exterior surfaces of the wedges 26, therebyproviding three dimensional connections as previously explained.

With the hotel type of frame 76, however, each receiver 84 has a throughslot 88 and a blind slot 90 formed therein to fit with the side panels78 and foot panel 82 that fit up into the slots 88, 90. The throughslots 88 interfit with the notches 92 formed in the side panels 78, 80and the blind slots 90 interfit with the foot panel 82. There are fillerplugs 94 located at the corners 96 that fill in the unused portions ofthe through slots 88 so that the receivers 84 can be produced uniformlyand used in any of the desired locations.

In FIG. 21, there is a perspective view of a further exemplaryembodiment wherein the external surfaces of the receiver 98 are roundedto provide a better appearance of the furniture. Again, the bed frame 10includes two side rails 12 and three cross members 14 to make up theoverall bed frame 10 such that there are six receivers 98 and six wedges100.

The FIG. 21 receivers 98 and wedges 100 are shown in FIGS. 22-24 whereFIG. 22 is an exploded view of a wedge 100, FIG. 23 is a perspectiveview of a wedge, FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the interfitting of awedge 100 into a receiver 98 and FIG. 25 is a perspective view of thecompleted connection between the wedge 100 and a receiver 98.

As can be seen in FIG. 22, wedge 100 is comprised to two wedge sections102, 104 that are affixed together sandwiching the T-shaped elongatediron member 106 therebetween. The wedge section 102 can have bosses 108molded therein for rivets (not shown) to pass between the two wedgesections 102, 104 to secure them together and to retain the T-shapediron member 106 thereto. The side surfaces 109, 110 of the wedge section102 and 104 are tapered inwardly in the downward direction, that is,away from the T-shaped cross member 106 whereas the end surface 111 andthe inside surface 110 can be vertically oriented. In FIG. 23, thecompleted wedge 100 is shown affixed to the end of the iron member 106.

In FIG. 24, there is shown the impending connection between the wedge100 and the receiver 98 and, as can be seen, the interior side surfaces112 are tapered downwardly and also may be tapered inwardly in thedirection toward the side rail 12. As such, the receiver 98 takes on astreamlined, pleasing appearance. The interior surface 114 can bevertically oriented so as to mate with the vertically oriented endsurface 111 of the wedge 100. Again, the receiver 98 is affixed to theL-shaped angle iron 16 of the side rail 12 and there is a notch 116formed in the receiver 98 for the downward flange of the T-shaped ironmember 106.

FIG. 25 shows a completed connection between the wedge 100 and thereceiver 98 and the can be seen the tapering of the wedge toward theL-shaped angle iron 16 for an enhanced appearance.

Turning next to FIG. 26, there is shown a further exemplary embodimentof the present invention wherein the receiver 118 is comprised of twocomponents, that is, a lower leg section 120 and an insert section 122which are, again affixed to the angle iron 16 of the side rail 12 viarivets (not shown) passing through openings 124 and 126, respectively inthe lower leg section 120 and the insert section 122. As before, thereis a wedge 128 affixed to the cross members 14 that interfits into thereceivers 118 to carry out the connection of the cross members 14 withthe side rails 12. There is also a leg 129 the is simply attached to thebottom of the middle wedge 131 if the cross member 128.

As such, the lower leg section 120 surrounds the insert section 122 andcan be designed to have a smooth and rounded for visual appearance offinished furniture and to make it more comfortable if contacted by barefeet. The insert section 122 of the receiver 118 assembly is shaped toreceive the wedge 128 and in this way has a cavity 130 that is designedto be the corresponding shape related to the wedge 128.

The wedge 128 itself is not, by its nature, a smooth rounded shape sinceit is preferred that the wedge 128 and insert section 122 have edges andcorners and corresponding grooves to key the parts together so as tocreate a secure junction of the side rail 12 to the cross member 14. Theuser can easily see the wedge 128 fits into the receiver 118. Theinterfit between the wedge 128 and the receiver 118 locks the bed frame132 together quickly and securely and the downward pressure of thebedding makes the connection rock solid. Any looseness that mightdevelop is taken away by the automatic and constant resetting of thewedge 128 in the receiver 118 as with the one piece leg describedbefore. The two component receiver 118 allows the connection with thewedge 128 to be a different shape than the receiver 118 itself and thisis beneficial to the look of the furniture.

Turning then to FIGS. 27A, 27B and 28, taken along with FIG. 26, thereis shown, respectively, an end view, a side view and an exploded view ofthe two piece receiver 118 of FIG. 26. As such, the holes 124 and 126can be seen that are used to affix the receiver 118 to the side rail 12as well as affix the lower leg section 120 to the insert section 122.There are also additional holes 134 and 136, respectively, in the lowerleg section 120 and the insert section 122 to assist in affixing thosecomponents together and in each instance, suitable devices can be usedsuch as rivets (not shown).

Again the lower leg section 120 has a slot 138 for receiving a downwardextending flange of the cross member 14 and a corresponding slot 140 inthe insert section 122. There are also a plurality of protrusions 142 toassist in the interfitting of the insert section 122 into the lower legsection 120. The protrusions 142 can be provided on all four sides ofthe insert section 122 or, alternatively, there may similar protrusionsextending outwardly from the interior surface of the lower leg section120 to aid in seating the insert section 122 and the lower leg section120.

Turning to FIG. 29, there is a perspective view of a bed frame 150having plastic casings covering the components of the bed frame 150while using the three dimensional connection system of the presentinvention. As such the present connection system can be used whileincluding side rail plastic casings 152 and cross member plastic casings154.

In FIG. 30, there is an exploded view of a cross member plastic casing154 with an end cap 156 affixed to the end of the cross member.

FIGS. 31 and 32 are, respectively, an exploded view and a perspectiveview of a wedge 158 comprising two wedge sections 160, 162 that affixedtogether, by means of rivets 164 to become affixed to a cross member 14having a cross rail plastic casing 154 with an end cap 156.

In FIGS. 33, 34, 35 and 36, there is shown an exploded view of areceiver 118, an exploded view of a receiver and a side rail 12, anexploded view of the connection of a cross member 14 to the side rail 12and a perspective view of a completed connection between a cross member14 and a side rail 12 where all of the bed frame components are coveredby plastic casings. As such the cross member 14 includes a cross memberplastic casing 154 and end cap 156 and the side rail 12 includes a siderail plastic casing 154 and an end cap 164.

Finally, FIGS. 37 and 38 are, respectively, an exploded view and aperspective view showing a cross member 14 with a wedge 166 interfittingwith a receiver 168 where the cross member 14 has a cross member plasticcasing 154 affixed thereto.

While the present invention has been set forth in terms of a specificembodiment of embodiments, it will be understood that the present threedimensional connection system for a bed frame herein disclosed may bemodified or altered by those skilled in the art to other configurations.Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and limited onlyby the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

1. A bed frame assembly for supporting a mattress or mattress set, thebed frame assembly comprising side rails and at least one cross member,the side rail having least two receivers affixed thereto, each receiverhaving an interior cavity with a plurality of inner surfaces, at leasttwo of the inner surfaces begin tapered inwardly in the downwarddirection, the at least one cross member having wedges at the endsthereof, each wedge having a plurality of exterior surfaces, and whereinin at least two of the exterior surfaces are tapered inwardly in thedownward direction so as to complementarily interfit with the interiorcavity of the receivers to connect the at least one cross member to aside rail forming a three dimensional connection.
 2. The bed frameassembly of claim 1 wherein four interior surfaces of the interiorcavity of each receiver taper inwardly and four exterior surfaces ofeach wedge taper inwardly.
 3. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 whereinthe receiver is comprised of a lower leg section and an insert sectionthat are nestable together.
 4. The bed frame assembly of claim 3 whereinthe interior cavity is formed in the insert section.
 5. The bed frameassembly of claim 3 wherein the lower leg section is rounded inconfiguration
 6. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 wherein the at leastone cross member comprise three cross member having wedges located atthe ends thereof.
 7. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 wherein one ofthe interior surface of a receiver and one of the mating exteriorsurfaces of a wedge are generally vertically oriented.
 8. The bed frameassembly of claim 1 wherein the shape of the wedge is substantiallytrapezoidal.
 9. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 wherein the crossmember has a downward vertical flange and there is a slot formed in thereceiver to receive the vertical flange.
 10. The bed frame assembly ofclaim 1 further including a center receiver affixed at about the centeror each of the cross members and a center member having a wedge at eachend thereof that is adapted interfit into the center receivers of thecross members forming a three dimensional connection.
 11. A side railfor a bed frame, the side rail comprising an elongated member having areceiver affixed thereto, the receiver having an interior cavity withinterior surfaces, at least two of the interior surfaces being taperedinwardly direction in the downward direction.
 12. The side rail of claim11 wherein the receiver has four interior surfaces tapered inwardly inthe downward direction.
 13. The side rail of claim 11 wherein theelongated member is an L-shaped angle iron.
 14. The side rail of claim11 wherein the receiver is affixed to the elongated member by means ofrivets.
 15. The side rail of claim 11 wherein the receiver is comprisedof a lower leg section and an insert section that are nestable together16. A cross member for joining two side rails of a bed frame, the crossmember comprising an elongated member having a wedge located at bothends thereof, each wedge having a plurality of exterior surfaces, atleast two of the exterior surfaces being tapered inwardly in thedownward direction.
 17. The cross member of claim 16 wherein the wedgehas four exterior surfaces that are tapered inwardly in the downwarddirection.
 18. A method of connecting a first structural bed framemember to a second structural bed frame member comprising the steps of:providing the first structural member with a wedge facing downwardly,the wedge having a plurality of exterior surfaces, at least two of suchexterior surfaces tapering inwardly in the downward direction; providingthe second structure with a receiver having a cavity with a plurality ofinterior surfaces, at least two of the surfaces tapering inwardly in thedownward direction; connecting the first and second structural memberstogether by inserting the wedge into the cavity such that the at leasttwo tapering surfaces of the wedge contact the at least two taperingsurfaces of the cavity to provide a three dimensional connectiontherebetween.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the steps of providingthe first structural member and providing the second structural membercomprises providing, respectively, a cross member and a side rail of abed frame.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the steps of providing thefirst structural member and providing the second structural membercomprises providing a first and second structural member having foursurfaces tapering inwardly.